Welcome to USOP (5,000 JPY)

One wild three-way pot just played out, resulting in a double elimination as Yuta chipped up to over four million in chips.

Lao Fai shoved for around 700,000 from middle position and OPM Se7en also moved all in for 485,000 on the button. Yuta then dropped in the call from the big blind, putting his two opponents at risk.

Lao Fai: A♥ 9♦

Yuta: A♣ K♣

OPM Se7en: 7♥ 7♠

OPM Se7en picked up the lead with pocket sevens and looked primed to turn his tournament life around. But the dealer quickly spoiled the script, revealing a T♠ K♠ 5♣ flop to give Yuta top pair.

The runout of 8♥ 9♥ changed nothing, and just like that, Yuta scooped the massive pot while scoring a double knockout.

Yoyoyo raised to 300,000 from under the gun, only to be jammed by Akimaru on the button for around 850,000. Yoyoyo dropped in the call to put his opponent's tournament life on the line.

Yoyoyo: A♠ Q♠

Akimaru: Q♣ Q♦

Akimaru picked up the lead with pocket queens and looked set for a double-up; however, the dealer crushed his hopes right away as the flop revealed A♥ 4♣ J♥, improving Yoyoyo to top pair.

The runout came 7♣ 6♣, ending Yoyoyo’s tournament run in 14th place with a payout of JPY 45,000 for his efforts today.

With around 360,000 chips in the middle, the dealer revealed a T♠ K♣ 8♣ flop. Ikeikehiropon led out for 120,000 from the small blind and Yuta called in the big blind.

The 6♦ hit on the turn, and Ikeikehiropon then moved all in for around 400,000. Yuta snap-called to put his opponent at risk.

Ikeikehiropon: J♠ 8♥

Yuta: K♥ 6♥

Yuta was far ahead with two pair against Ikeikehiropon's flopped pair of eights.

Much to Ikeikehiropon's dismay, the river didn't send any help as it showed a 3♣, sending him out in 15th place for a payout of JPY 45,000.

Akimaru shoved his ~750,000 stack from under the gun and was called by Federico Faranda in the small blind, who had him covered by about 200,000. The cards were revealed:

Akimaru: 9♦ 5♠

Federico Faranda: A♣ J♣

Faranda held the clear advantage, but the flop of 4♥ 9♣ 4♦ flipped the script, giving Akimaru trips. The 9♥ turn then sealed the deal with a full house, leaving Faranda shaking his head.

The river J♦ was far too little, too late, and Akimaru scored a full double-up, while Faranda was left clinging to a short stack.

Riku limped in on the button, as did Zihao Zhang from the small blind. Duy Manh Ho was forced to shove all in for 50,000 in the big blind.

On the 7♥ T♠ J♠ flop, Zhang checked to Riku, who bet 80,000. Zhang stepped aside.

Duy Manh Ho: 9♠ 5♦

Riku: J♣ 9♥

Riku picked up the lead with a flopped pair of jacks, while Ho got a gutshot. The 5♥ hit on the turn, pairing with Ho's five, but it was still not enough against Riku's pair.

The K♣ filled out the board and sent Ho out of the field in 18th place.

Duy Manh Ho made it 120,000 to go from the small blind and Yotsuao defended his big blind, leaving himself 60,000 behind.

On the K♣ 4♣ Q♥ flop, Ho continued with a bet of 60,000, and it didn't deter Yotsuao from making the call, putting himself at risk.

Duy Manh Ho: 6♣ 5♠

Yotsuao: Q♣ 2♠

Yatsuao picked up the lead with his flopped pair of queens, leaving Ho drawing thin.

The runout rolled off T♦ K♦, adding more ammunition to Yotsuao's stack.

Down to just a single 5,000 chip and forced all in from the big blind, Yama looked destined to become the bubble boy of the opening event at USOP Osaka 2025.

Action folded to Ka-Zu on the button, who completed, with Ima checking from the small blind. Yama’s cards remained unseen as the trio went to the flop.

The board ran out 5♦ T♠ 2♥ Q♠, with both active players checking down to the river. When the K♥ appeared, Ima fired 80,000, quickly pushing Ka-Zu off the hand.

At showdown, Yama revealed A♦ 7♠ for ace-high, but Ima tabled J♦ 9♥ for a rivered straight, confirming Yama’s elimination on the money bubble.

Pikachi opened to 80,000 from under the gun, only to be shoved by Yan Han Wong. Pikachi snap-called.

Pikachi: A♣ T♣

Yan Han Wong: 5♦ 5♠

Wong was ahead with pocket fives, but Pikachi took it over on the Q♦ T♥ A♦ flop. The dealer quickly revealed a runout of 8♦ 8♠, ending Wong's tournament life.

With Wong’s exit, the field is now down to 29 players.

Asamalu moved all in from the button for around 1,450,000 chips, and was called by Yositao on the button who was covered by around 10:1 chips, and cards went on their backs:

Yositao: A♣ K♠

Asamalu J♦ 2♥

The dealer spread out a board of 9♣ 6♣ 7♦ K♥ 5♦ and Yositao secured the double up to 260,000 chips, narrowly avoiding the money bubble.

Yama shoved the hijack for 355,000 and Matsukuri also moved all in for 350,000 on the button.

Yama: A♦ T♦

Matsukuri: K♦ K♣

Matsukuri's kings dominated the hand and held control on the 6♠ 6♥ 3♥ flop, while Yama was still looking for an ace to collect the pot.

Unfortunately for Yama, the runout of 8♥ 5♦ left him with a short stack of just 5,000.

One three-way all-in pot just unfolded between three Japanese players, resulting in one elimination.

Ackey open-shoved for around 262,000, and Ikeikehiropon moved all in for about 400,000. Toshiki then committed all his chips as well, approximately 275,000.

Ackey: A♦ K♥

Ikeikehiropon: 8♦ 8♠

Toshiki: 9♠ 9♦

Toshiki was well ahead with pocket nines and maintained his dominance strong as the board ran out 2♣ 6♣ 7♦ J♥ J♣, claiming the chunky pot together with one knockout.

Yuta opened to 40,000 from middle position, only to be jammed by Park Yoonjae for 199,000 in the small blind. After thinking for a while, Yuta dropped in the call to put the Korean player at risk.

Park Yoonjae: A♣ T♥

Yuta: A♦ Q♣

Yuta picked up the lead with a stronger queen kicker and improved to top pair on the 5♥ J♥ Q♥ flop, while Yoonjae had many outs to stay alive as he received both straight and flush draws from the dealer.

Unfortunately for Yoonjae, the runout rolled off 3♦ 2♣, sending him out of the field and shipping the pot Yuta's way.

Ikeikeihiropon moved all in for roughly 370,000 from the cutoff and found a lone caller in Adachi from the small blind, who had him covered. The cards were tabled:

Adachi: A♦ 8♥

Ikeikeihiropon: K♠ Q♥

The flop fell 9♦ K♦ 4♦, giving Ikeikeihiropon top pair but still leaving Adachi plenty of outs.

The turn brought the 4♦, completing Adachi’s flush and locking up the double, as well as cutting a significant portion from Ikeikeihiropon's stack.

Imu open-shoved from under the gun for 135,000 and Park Yoonjae called from the big blind, putting his opponent at risk.

Park Yoonjae: K♥ Q♦

Imu: A♥ J♠

Imu was ahead with ace-high and held control on the 7♣ 2♦ 3♥ flop. The turn brought a 6♦, while Yoonjae was looking for a king or queen to collect one elimination.

Fortunately for Imu, the 4♥ landed on the river, locking up a much-needed double up for him.

Here's a look at some of the leading stacks as the playing field continues to whittle down:

Tsugu opened to 25,000 from under the gun and Ninomae called on the button.

Both players checked to the river on a board of 6♠ 5♣ Q♠ 6♠ 7♥, where Tsugu fired 12,000 and Ninomae instantly dropped in the call.

“Ace-high,” said Tsugu as he revealed A♣ 4♦.

“My kicker works,” replied Ninomae when he tabled A♦ 7♦ for a pair of sevens.

Tako opened to 16,000 from middle position and picked up two callers in Tatsuya on the button and Amygo in the big blind, sending three players to the flop.

The dealer spread K♦ 5♥ 6♦, and action checked through to the T♥ turn. Amygo then led out for 40,000, forcing Tako out of the way. Tatsuya gave it some thought before sliding in the call.

The river came the 4♦ and both players checked. Amygo revealed A♥ 3♥ for a missed flush draw, but Tatsuya’s A♣ T♣ made a winning pair of tens to drag the pot.

With around 35,000 chips in the pot, a flop dealt 3♣ 5♣ T♦ and Pon checked from the big blind, as did Shino in the cutoff.

Pon then sent a bet of 10,000 on the 7♥ turn and Shino came along for the ride. When the river brought an A♥, Pon checked to Shino, who sent a bet of 60,000. Pon snap-called.

Pon tabled 7♦ 3♦ for two pair instantly to beat Shino's rivered pair of aces with A♦ 8♦.

Not long after losing an all-in clash against Yoonjae Park, Toriniku committed the last of his ~30,000 stack and found a quick caller in Chen Chunhao, who has been steadily climbing the leaderboard throughout the day.

Toriniku: J♦ 9♥

Chen Chunhao: A♠ T♥

The flop came 6♦ A♥ 8♣, giving Chunhao top pair and leaving Toriniku in rough shape. Hope arrived on the Q♠ turn, which opened up a gutshot straight draw, but the river brought the Q♦ instead, sealing his elimination and sending another healthy pot over to Chunhao, who continues his charge up the counts.

Ackey made it 22,000 to go from middle position and Otas defended in the big blind.

Otas check-called a bet of 7,000 from Ackey on the 8♣ 6♦ K♣ flop to see a J♥ fall on the turn, where it went check-check.

When a 2♣ filled out the board, Otas checked to Ackey, who sent a bet of 20,000, sending his compatriot into the tank. After mulling it over, Ackey eventually opted to call.

Ackey revealed A♦ 5♦ for ace-high, and it wasn't enough against a flopped pair of eights from Otas' 9♠ 8♥.

Osuke raised to 6,500 from middle position, only to be jammed by Jannik Bosche from the big blind for 54,500. Osuke snap-called to put the German player at risk.

Osuke: A♠ 8♠

Jannik Bosche: 3♥ 3♠

Bosche picked up the lead with his pair of threes and held control on the 7♥ 2♣ K♥ flop, while Osuke was still looking for an ace or eight to collect one knockout.

The turn brought the Q♥, giving Bosche a flush draw. The river landed the 8♥, pairing Osuke’s eight while completing Bosche’s flush, forcing Osuke to cough up the chips to his tablemate.

This is Mars Chan’s first time participating in the USOP festival, and he even rearranged his schedule to join right after APT Jeju, which was still ongoing at the time.

In an interview, Chan shared that he has long been chasing his maiden USOP trophy, a goal he considers a key milestone in his poker career.

"Even without the additional bonus ‘Gackt’s Party’ ticket in the Welcome to USOP event, I still wanted to be part of it. Just like I’ve mentioned, I’ve been looking for opportunities to join any USOP festival, and that’s the main motivation for me to overcome any obstacles to be here in Osaka," he said.

“It feels like they’ve organized the event on quite a large scale,” he said when asked about his impression of the festival.

“Overall, my experience so far has been very good. I also see many familiar faces here, including dealers I know. I feel confident about this tournament. After all, I made a special trip to play here, so how could I not have confidence?” he added.

With his determination, confidence, and clear ambition, Mars Chan’s debut at the USOP Osaka is more than just another stop; it’s a statement of intent. While he battles through the field in search of his first USOP trophy, his journey will be one to watch closely throughout the festival.

Mysoatsunohito shoved all in from the hijack for 3,000 and Seungmin Yu called on the button, as did Matsumoto Sayoko from the big blind.

Both players checked through the J♠ T♥ 3♥ flop to the K♣ turn, where Sayoko checked and Yu bet 2,000. The female player quickly folded, leaving Mysoatsunohito at risk against Yu.

Mysoatsunohito: Q♣ T♦

Seungmin Yu: A♦ K♠

Yu took the lead with a turned pair of kings against Mysoatsunohito’s pair of tens, but Mysoatsunohito still had multiple outs to stay alive with his straight draws.

Unfortunately for Mysoatsunohito, the river didn't cooperate as it bricked out a 7♠, sending him out of the field.

Pang-Wei "James" Tsao raised to 4,800 from middle position and received a call from Chen Chuanhao one seat to his right.

The dealer flipped over a flop of Q♥ 3♣ J♣, and Chunhao opted to check. James continued for 4,000, but was met with an 11,000 raise from Chunhao. After tanking for a short while James tossed in the call.

The dealer turned over the T♠, and Chunhao wasted no time moving a stack into the middle, announcing he was all in, sending James deep into the tank. The Poker influencer sat and weighed on the decision, asking for a count of Chunhao's stack. After establishing he was covered, he threw in the call and cards went on their backs:

Chen Chunhao: K♣ 9♣

James: A♦ Q♦

Chunhao had turned a straight and James would need a king in order to make a higher straight and save himself from elimination.

Unfortunately, no such help came and the dealer flipped over the A♠, knocking James out.

Influencer from Taiwan, Mars Chan, creator of the YouTube channel Marswinpoker, is making a strong run in the opening event, Welcome to USOP.

Kuma opened to 1,200 from middle position and picked up three callers: Fung Sam Lam on the button, Mars Chan in the small blind, and Kazusan in the big blind.

The flop came J♦ Q♥ A♥, and action checked to Kuma, who continued for 2,600. Lam folded, while the blinds called.

On the 6♥ turn, Chan shifted gears and led out for 3,500. Only Kuma dropped in the call to see the 5♥ fall on the river. Chan then fired another barrel of 25,000, which forced Kuma to muck and shipped the pot Chan’s way.

Mysokatsunohito made it 2,000 to go from middle position and Take defended his big blind.

Take checked on the 3♦ A♦ 5♠ flop to Mysokatsunohito, who continued with a bet of 1,100. Take check-raised to 2,200. Mysokatsunohito made the call.

Mysokatsunohito then check-called a bet of 3,700 from Take on the board-pairing 5♥ turn. An 8♠ landed on the river, and it went check-check.

Mysokatsunohito quickly revealed A♥ 2♥ for top pair of aces and took down the pot as Take folded.

Players are now on the first 10-minute break.

Influencer Masaya, a familiar face in the Japanese poker community, joined the star-studded battlefield in the Welcome to USOP. Masaya added extra buzz to the opening event as he took his seat among a packed field of contenders aiming for the first trophy of the series.

Ryoma opened to 1,500 from under the gun and Bowen Zhang called on the button, as did Masaya from the small blind.

On the K♣ 9♠ 7♣ flop, it checked to Ryoma, who continued for 1,500. Zhang folded and Masaya check-called.

The T♥ fell on the turn, where Masaya checked over and Ryoma sent another barrel of 4,200. Masaya then cranked it up to 13,000, sending Ryoma into a tough situation. After thinking for a while, Ryoma eventually let go of his cards.

With around 13,500 chips in the pot, a flop revealed 3♠ K♦ Q♦, where it checked to Pass, who led out for 500 from the cutoff. Degizuman check-called in the small blind. Grmjw check-folded from the big blind.

Degizuman bet 1,000 when 5♦ landed on the turn, and Pass came along for the ride to the 7♠ river. Degizuman then fired out 15,000. Pass only took a few seconds before he made the call.

Degizuman flipped over 5♣ 5♥ for turned trip fives, but it was not enough for the pot as Pass showed a turned flush with 7♦ 4♦.

Akkun limped in from the small blind and Ken Thanpisit Manomaiphibul checked over in the big blind.

A flop came 4♣ 6♣ A♠ and it checked to Manomaiphibul, who led out for 300. Akkun made the call to see a J♦ fall on the turn, where it went check-check.

Akkun check-called again, this time facing a bet of 500 from Manomaiphibul on the board-pairing A♥ river. Akkun revealed a Q♥ first, but Manomaiphibul quickly tabled king-high with K♣ 2♥, which was enough to make Akkun muck his other card.

Influencers Thitisan Manomaiphibul (Shin) and Thanpisit Manomaiphibul (Ken) are twin brothers of Japanese–Thai heritage who have made a name for themselves both on and off the felt.

The creators behind the popular YouTube channel Twins Poker, they share a wide range of poker content with their growing audience. From tournament vlogs and industry news to beginner-friendly lessons, their channel has become a go-to spot for players looking to learn, improve, or simply enjoy the game through their unique perspective as twins in the poker scene.

This is their first time joining USOP, with Ken taking part in the iconic Welcome to USOP on Day 1 of USOP Osaka, while his brother will make his appearance tomorrow.

Cards are in the air for Welcome to USOP, and players are now on their journey towards the trophy, along with an exclusive seat at Gackt's Party!

The opening event of USOP Osaka is underway with the “Welcome to USOP” tournament. The buy-in is JPY 5,000, with the winner receiving the lion’s share of the JPY 2,220,000 guaranteed prize pool and a golden ticket for the winner into GACKT’s invite-only party event later this week.

Players start with 25,000 chips, blinds at 100/200/200, and 25-minute levels throughout the day. Registration is open until 16:40 for those late-comers still looking to get involved and take the crown of the first event of the series.

Stay tuned for all the thrills, spills and all the insights throughout the day!